Heidi's Legacy Dog Rescue

I would read the reviews and avoid this place like the plague. Looking back, all the red flags were there. They proactively asked if I would adopt and also foster a dog. They managed to pay for absolutely nothing (most rescues do pay for supplies, including food). They did absolutely nothing for the dogs, never in possession of the dogs once. They got them transported from a kill shelter and had us pick them up. They left the dogs with us for 4 months despite me telling them the dogs were now 50 and 65 lbs and violently fighting. They said no other fosters were available. So I finally set a deadline giving them well over a month to get one of the dogs out. As seen in other reviews, they turned quickly. They told us where to bring both dogs (since they regard us as employees) and my husband did. Naturally they behaved like my husband was a terrible person and blocked him from speaking with the new fosters which would have been helpful for the care of the dogs. We spent thousands on these dogs with supplies and repairing damage. We took great care of them and said we would take one. Despite this, they acted like the dogs were in desperate need of new homes. All to be vindictive. The sad thing is we would have done anything to cut ties with this rescue. I just hope the new ‘fosters’ just pay and can cut ties with this rescue too. We’ll never adopt or volunteer with another rescue after this.

I was interested in a dog they have up for adoption. I first like to know the temperament and see the dog in a video before I waste mine and the adopter's time. But they could not produce, or should I say would not produce a video of the dog I was interested in adopting. If you are a rescue and want to adopt out dogs to their forever homes, I would like to see some effort like a rescue should do for the animals. Are you a rescue or are you a posing as a rescue to get free healthcare and food for your own personal dogs you have no intentions of adopting to anyone.

This review is long, but bear with me.

I am so incredibly disappointed in this rescue. I knew of them through my time working at an open admission shelter. They took in two fospice dogs during my time at this shelter, so they had a special place in my heart for saving these dogs that would've been euthanized otherwise.

Fast forward to me deciding to take a break from animal welfare and seeing a plea from them for bottle babies. I was home full time and decided to take on the huge responsibility of fostering four (of eight) 2wk old, 1lb puppies. The pups were taken from an owner, against the family's wishes, because the mom suffered from eclampsia.

From the get go, they seemed to be pretty hands off. I bought a heating pad, nursing nipples and bottles, formula, pee pads, puppy food, bowls, toys, etc. Within a week one of my pups was coughing and had a runny nose. I was concerned due to her age/size. I had to insist she be seen several times before Kelly agreed for me to take her in.

Not once did either Kelly or Kerry say thank you or even check in to see how things were going. Asking for supplies was met with short, rude text messages. I felt like I was bothering Kelly by texting at all.

One week in, I let both Kelly and Kerry know that I would be out of town in four weeks and would need to return the pups. Two weeks prior to returning the pups, I also let them know I wanted to adopt one that my family had fallen in love with. The initial response was simply "LOL". I continued to inquire, and it was then I learned they wanted $800 each! Kerry agreed to giving me a $200 discount because of the money I'd already spent out of pocket.

Forward to a couple of days prior to our agreed upon return, and suddenly it was like pulling teeth trying to get a response or agreeing to a drop off time/location. I was also told if I wanted to adopt the pup I was interested in, I'd have to keep him vs dropping him off with the others. Given that he was under 8 weeks and I would not be home, I told Kelly and Kerry I couldn't do that.

The morning of drop off I was given the run around, receiving a text an hour before our agreed time asking my status, and then a location change to suit Kelly. When I asked about the contract for the pup we were adopting, and when I could finalize adoption, responses to my texts stopped. Then suddenly Kerry stepped in, responding that I WOULD keep him or he would be adopted out to someone else.

Because I was going to be OUT OF TOWN, I dropped off all four pups, and was met with a barrage of rude text messages. A rescue that would not adopt out under-aged pups to other adopters, but insists on forcing a foster to separate a pup from it's littermates only to be left home in a crate while nobody is home, certainly doesn't sound like someone interested in the "best interest" of the dogs. Against my judgement, my husband insisted we offer more money in order to pick him up once he's the appropriate age and we're back in town. My messages were ignored.

My children, husband and I are devastated. We were good enough to foster but apparently not good enough to adopt. I second all the negative reviews I've read, now that I've had first hand experience with Kelly and Kerry. What a shame that they can't take a step back and realize just how awful they treat fosters and potential adopters, which 100% contributes to their lack of a robust foster base. I urge both of them to do some soul searching and reevaluate why they started doing rescue. Helping animals is amazing, but you also need PEOPLE to help you fulfill your mission. Going it "alone" is why you're so angry.

Long but worth the read if you're searching for TRUTH.

Unprofessional Organization. When you submit your application online, it says the turn around time is like 2-3 days. They don't acknowledge you, whether you're approved, nothing! You're left hanging with no contact. Meanwhile, they show on their website they need Fosters. I, along with many other people, didn't hear anything from them after submitting an application. Then, out of the blue, a few months later, I receive an urgent call from them asking me to foster 6 -8 week old puppies. It didn't matter that I applied to Foster adult dogs, adult cats, and kittens but excluded puppies since I didn't have experience with puppies. They didn't care, they seemed desperate. When I tried to explain to the her I didn't put an application in for "Puppies", she made the comment about how they really needed help with these puppies and if I wasn't willing, she doubted I'd ever get the call to help with any other dogs or cats. I felt backed into a corner to be honest. I'm a huge Animal lover and signed up to Foster with good intentions. I agreed to take one puppy, although they were trying to convince me to take two. Nobody from this Organization ever came to meet me, came to my house to do a home check, nothing! Nobody from this organization brought the puppy to me. They had another "First Time Foster Parent" bring the Puppy to me. This other Foster Parent told me they didn't do a home check on her either and dumped 2 dogs on her and a 3rd one when a different Foster person who had one of the Pups for a day or two and called this Organization to pick up that puppy. This Organization then dumped that puppy on the same girl that had 2. And that's why that girl brought me one. She also had 3 large grown dogs of her own in a duplex with a small patio area for a backyard. This Organization didn't seem to care where all these puppies went!! They had me fill out a second application and had me text a photo of it because they said they lost my first one, (what?!), when this girl brought the puppy to me. Again, Unprofessional and unorganized! The puppy I had, who had no Vet care at all, was scratching day and night. This poor little puppy seemed miserable and itchy. The only time he wasn't scratching was when he was sleeping. I contacted this Organization and they had the other Foster parent meet up with one of them to pick up flea medicine (I had advised I didn't see fleas or I would've taken care of that, but just wasn't sure what it was) and pick up heartworm medication. I was instructed by the Foster parent to pick it up from her house. She handed it to me laughing and apologizing at the same time. I think the laughing was like (what a joke this was.) This Foster parent drove to Clearwater to pick up these pet meds that EXPIRED 4 YEARS prior and 2.5 years prior! She, herself said "I wouldn't use them" as I was just getting ready to say I was not going to use them after seeing the expiration date. Two days later, all of us Foster parents of this large litter of these Pitbull Puppies had an appointment at the Humane Society where we had to take them to get SOME vaccines. I realized while there, one Foster parent lost their little girl's Pet Bunny when the puppy killed it. And these Foster parents seem to be in my boat... no home check, just urgent call to Foster a puppy. While having my puppy get his vaccines, the Veterinarian saw the puppy scratching, didn't see any fleas and I explained this poor puppy had been scratching like that for days. That Vet called the owner/CEO KELLY, to get permission to treat this puppy with medication to relieve this puppy. She DENIED the medication and told the Vet she had already taken care of it. When the Vet told me that, I explained to Vet what was given to me... the Expired Flea medication and Heartworm Preventative medication. The Vet was clearly and visibly upset and explained to me that was not what the puppy needed and that expired medication needed to be thrown away. She did say that SOME expired medication that isn't so far past the expiration date is okay but not 4 years or 2.5 years! The Vet's hands were tied and I was upset. The Vet Tech came in and asked me if I had called Kelly (at this point, Kelly had never even spoken to me, text me, reached out to me, nothing!) The only contact person I had dealt with, other than the other Foster Parent was the other lady Kerry and that contact was very minimal because she kept sending messages to the other Foster parent to give to me, which the other Foster parent would just forward the text. (Ridiculous, I know!) So, I barely had reception on my phone inside the building, I put my phone on Speakerphone and called Kelly. I had to call her twice since she didn't answer the first time (I left a message telling her I was the person fostering this puppy, asking her to call me right then as I was still with the Vet.) She was so very Rude, hateful and extremely angry with me for telling the Vet that her Organization gave me the expired meds but still insisting at the same time that the Meds were perfectly fine! That she had a Veterinary friend who said it was fine, totally disagreeing with the Vet at the Humane Society. She got so angry with me, she eventually hung up on me. About 10 minutes later, the Vet came into the room with a shot of meds for this puppy for some sort of skin issue the puppy had. The Vet told me that Kelly called her and finally agreed to pay for it. The Medication was $80 something. That ordeal was insane!! Earlier that morning on this same day, this puppy had went after my cat. And although she isn't a defenseless little pet bunny, my 12 lb cat was scared, for the first time in her 8 years of life, when this puppy was trying to attack and bite her. That was hard for me to see as I was trying to help this puppy and keep my cat safe as well. Just a very strenuous day for sure! By the time I walked out of the Humane Society that afternoon, 2.5 hours after arriving, I realized I was involved with a very UNPROFESSIONAL, UNORGANIZED, UNCARING, and POORLY RUN "Rescue Center" as they like to call themselves. I got to my car with this puppy and realized I couldn't continue my relationship with an organization and person who's idea of taking care of a puppy's need was expired and irrelevant medication, fighting to not pay $80 to help a puppy, an Organization who does not follow their OWN guidelines that they turn around and use as an excuse to not allow potential qualified Fosters and Adopters (home checks) at their convenience, to NOT communicate or EVER ANSWER CALLS. I sat in the parking lot and called Kelly to tell her that I could no longer Foster the puppy. She didn't answer. I called her and text her several times. I also called and text the other lady Kerry, who kept telling me to contact Kelly. They both were making it IMPOSSIBLE for me to give the puppy back to them. Neither of them EVER answered their phone but started texting, very unprofessionally, and eventually told me to drop the puppy off at the girl's house that brought this puppy to me in the first place. When I took the puppy there, she still had the 2 Foster puppies, her own 3 adult dogs, no backyard as I stated above and never a home check done by this Organization. You can come to your own conclusion but my story as to what happened with my experience is the truth.

Most people who own a Dog Rescue are Praised over and over for "All they do for these Animals" and looked at as if they are such an ANIMAL LOVER, SAVIOR, SAINT OF A PERSON WHO DONATES their time, money, resources and all they have into their rescue. And since they are a "Non-profit Organization" that they are "Legit" and wonderful. That's not always the case! I am not accusing Kelly of gaining Monetarily BUT many Non-profit organizations CEO's do get a Salary or Disbursements that are perfectly legal per IRS, etc. When I think of an Animal Rescue CEO that truly has their Heart and Soul into it, I think of "The Asher House" where Lee Asher himself is hands on, picks up the dogs in need, takes these animals in need into his own home if he has to, and would NEVER EVER just dump a litter of puppies to several different people with no background, no home checks, etc. Kelly has told GOOD PEOPLE who submit their application, "we have to do a Home check, and this and that, etc" AFTER these people have submitted an application for dogs being shown online as "needing a home" ONLY AFTER the applicants had to call and text Kelly over and over. Why? Why ignore calls and texts from Qualified Applicants? Why ignore ANY applicants period? A 30 second email with "I'm sorry, your application was not approved for the following reasons" or "Your application was approved and we will be contacting you." NOTHING from them. Absent CEO until
you see when she's gotten a popular purebred dog or other beautiful looking dog owner to sign over rights to their dog to HER and she wants to start collecting donations for these dogs! That's the way it appears to me. This is my experience working directly with this organization and watching them for the last 2 years.

My service dog was stolen by this group. Under the guise of helping me to get my fur baby in to see a vet who would be Pro Bono or allow me to make payments . I went to my dogs breed group and Trendee told me they help. Instead they took her from me did surgery and she then tells me the vet will not release her to me because I neglected her!! I have a broken ankle and Shingles and I drove from the Orlando area to Tampa on a broken ankle. I didn't sign anything. Not even permission for treatment!! My service dog is for PTSD which is now getting worse thanks to not having my service dog!! Kelly you own this rescue so you are responsible. GIVE ME BACK MY LACY!! ������������������������������������������������

So rude and unprofessional. The only decent reviews are from volunteers and fosters. Anyone who has adopted from this agency will tell you horror stories.

I have been a volunteer, mostly foster mom, with Heidi's Legacy for more than a decade. They pull the shelter dogs that no one else will take and then find wonderful homes for them. In response to some of these other comments, their priority is the DOGS! We have had some very adoptable pups come through our home, They looked at the best choice for them. Yes, that means that sometimes a late-comer with a fenced yard gets the dog instead of the first person who applied, but it's the best place for the pup. Fosters have a say in those decisions too so I've been among the people making that call. I can see why people are angry but it's still the best option for the reason this rescue exists.

First there was an issue when my mom contacted regarding a German Shepherd (4yrs), hes not good with children, yet online it says he was kid friendly. My son is 6. I went to a Veterinarian Tech (Marchmen in New Port Richey) school in 2009 and graduated in 2010. My mom has had a German Shepherd for 13 years, I grew up with him, I won 1st place in the Florida state Fair dog show in 2009. My son was born in 2014 and that dog became his protector and best friend (our dog was 9 years old at that time). We lost him last year and my son cries for him to this day. I did chose Heidi's Legacy Dog Rescue because I love the idea of a fostered pet and to save a pet. But all we have gotten from from them is kick back! No consideration of where I live, my living standards or how much we love animals. They told us the second time that I would need to get a fence, THEN I can contact them back to adopted. I would never leave an animal unattended outside, our adopted pet isn't just a pet to is, he/she would be considered family.. and be treated as we would treat each other. So it honestly doesn't matter if I do or do not have a fence. It is how we train our dog is the difference. They have never asked to see my home. No way to call them and have a genuine conversation. To me, sounds like they really don't care to adopt animals out. Scam!! I will not be contacting them back and hope no one else does. They nitpick everything.. I guess you have to be PERFECT in order to have a companion..

RUDE RUDE RUDE RUDE,,,JUST RUDE COCKY REPLIES back to normal questions. The numbers listed to contact this agency is text only , and I received nothing BUT RUDE REPLIES from the main number 813 -416-1349. We are a great family simply trying to give a loving dog a good home, and the replies and attitude from this number in particular is rude. they NEVER answer the phone and there is NO ORIGINATION to this facility. The Experience is terrible, and very troubling. I am presently calling local and state officials to report them. DONT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM... you will NEVER GET AND ANIMAL.

As a long time foster, I certainty can not say enough good things about this rescue. All dogs are in private foster homes. Medical needs are adressed by rescue. I have witnessed dogs coming from deaths door. Many get upset at are stringent adoption process but for us it is all about the dogs

Heidi's Legacy has saved so many dog throughout the years. I applaud those who volunteer their precious time to our furry friends. Thank you for your loving hearts.

I've been a supporter of Heidi's Legacy since 2010 and have been a foster/volunteer since 2011. Heidi's is an all volunteer run organization. It's an organization run by people passionate about saving and finding the best possible home for dogs. Until I became personally involved in dog rescue I had no idea the amount of work and time that goes into it, or sometimes, the amount of tears shed because you just weren't able to save that one dog. There are many dog rescues out there, and I'm sure many are legit and good, but I can honestly say that Heidi's Legacy Dog Rescue is the real deal. Saving dogs is what we do.

I have been a foster for Heidis Legacy since 2010. I have great admiration for how this organization works continuously to save and rehabilitate so many abandoned dogs. They have always provided the support and medical needs that my fosters required.

They take great care to be sure that the adopter and the dog or pup are a good match.

I have been a volunteer for this fabulous dog rescue for the past 7 years. I discovered them when I was looking to adopt another German shepherd. I ended up fostering instead and ultimately adopted my foster. They go above and beyond for all the dogs in their care and make sure they are adopted to good families that will love and care for them the rest of their lives. I will continue to volunteer, foster and adopt from Heidi’s Legacy dog rescue and recommend others to also foster, volunteer and adopt from them.

Heidi Legacy is a wonderful rescue. They save dogs from all over Florida. The Heidi Legacy team rescues dogs in dire straits from shelters, those abandoned that no one else wants, and dogs with serious medical needs. Heidi’s Legacy does whatever it takes to rehabilitate and rehome their dogs so they safe, happy, and loved.

My son adopted a dog from Heidi's Legacy Dog Rescue. It was a very positive experience. They thoroughly checked to make sure the dog would be in a good home.

I have been a volunteer with Heidi's Legacy for more than 5 years. They have taken in the most sick and broken dogs that no other rescue would touch. They have spent thousands of dollars on a dog and in turn ask for the adoption donation of a few hundred bucks. There is no profit. There is no such thing as doing rescue for money. Heidi's Legacy has always been about the dogs. They have helped other rescues with medications, shared food, shared Fosters, paid transporters. This rescue is fostered based. The dogs are loved, vetted, and match to a home that best meets their personality. I am still a volunteer and stand by this amazing rescue for all they do.

Heidi's legacy I volunteered for them for approximately 3 years. I would drive as far as N. Carolina from Florida to rescue dogs from animal control and also would foster them until they were adopted. I would use my own funds to pay for these trips and to also make sure each one was given a toy a blanket a new collar and leash before I would drive all over florida to bring them to their new fur ever homes. The one GSD I rescued (against their advice) I decided I wanted to keep since I had her removed from animal control and paid for her to stay at the veteran and be checked and given treatment I was told she had been shot which she had not. ( I paid all the veteran bills for her care for 2 weeks until I could arrange to go get her and bring her back to Florida. When I got her we discovered she was pregnant not shot so she stayed with me and had 6 healthy pups which were all adopted after I PAID FOR THEM TO BE FIXED AND HAVE THEIR SHOTS at 12 weeks old. I was told by my vets ( two vets) that the GSD I wanted it would be safer for her and the pups if she under went treatment (heartworms and mange) which she had when I rescued her. I had just gotten the last pup adopted out. Had made arrangements for the one I wanted to keep to get spayed and treated. I was told by Heidi's Legacy I had to bring her to tampa to get treatment but that I would get her back. THEY LIED AND GAVE HER TO SOMEONE ELSE. who would have to pay the $350 adoption fee. I was devastated as I had paid for everything for this girl and had her for months. Considered her a member of the family and she was close to my male Shepherd. To this day I am very upset and hurt by the actions of Heidi's Legacy. I had my first rescue for 11 years until he passed away from cancer ( more than the 5 months of the woman who runs the rescue) I would have gladly paid them the adoption fee though I had paid for everything else for this dog including the 400 dollars to the vet in N. Carolina to get her from animal control and to board and treat her until she was strong enough to travel back to Florida. If you volunteer for them watch your back. Never got paid for the puppies to get fixed whichI was told I would at a cost of 350 dollars or for gas to drive all over the southern states to rescue dogs for them and then drive all over Florida to get them to their new parents. HEIDI'S LEGACY IS IN IT FOR THE MONEY not the poor animals

I have the utmost respect for Heidi's Legacy, a very dear friend of mine is a vet tech, she managed to get an owner to surrender to her, a hoarding case, with her connections she had several rescues take the small dogs, there was a german Shephard living outside, poor health, mange, worms ect., my friend reached out to Heidi's Legacy, they said Yes! We will help! Now here is where I come in, I do transport, the foster agreed to meet me, mind you this dog is in rough shape, underweight, this man agreed to foster this dog and give him a chance, through my friend, I became connected with Heidi's Legacy, and the foster, it takes a village, one dog at a time, compassion from all involved, Heidi's Legacy gave this dog Lucky, a chance, I will be forever greatful, most rescues would have said no, but not Heidi's Legacy!!!

Heidi's Legacy pulls dogs from shelters that no other rescue would touch. I personally have four deaf and blind fosters because Heidi's Legacy wanted them to live their lives as well as possible. I also have two mutts of theirs -- one found as a puppy in a shoe box who was practically feral and totally unadoptable. Yes, they're picky about who they adopt to, but that's because so many people aren't good homes... Personally, I'm pickier than they are about the dogs I foster for them...

Heidi's Legacy has repeatedly rescued, taken in and cared for and adopted to very good homes many beautiful dogs that we contacted them about that were in great need. I never once asked us for a dime and taking these dogs in and did amazing work and rehabilitating them. Very grateful for them and the work they do I hope that it continues for many years to come.